Bicycle Mechanics - novelty idea - LED brake lights for a bike??

Hello,

I've just competed in the biggest cycle race in my country (about 8,500 riders, 160km/100mile), and there were all sorts of various novelty items to look at. One guy had cardboard antlers on his helmet, with cardboard sleigh design attached to each side of his bike. Another team were all wearing black riding gear, with pink tutu's (sp) over their shorts (both the guys and gals). That gave me an idea or two for next year:

put some fake rocket booster things on my bike,

OR

put a little switch of some sort in the brake lever (STi) and connect it to one LED light, or a whole series in a pretty pattern, so when you put the brakes on, well you can guess what will happen.

Any ideas how to do these? especially the lights!!

thanks!

ProMax already has a set of brake pads on the market with LED brake lights on them. A switch is activated when the brake pads touch the rim.

I had a look on the pro-max site, but couldnt find any of the pads with the micro-switch in them.

I have had a look at the brake mechanism on my bike, and I was thinking of rigging up a micro-switch to those that is activated when the actual brakes move.

yeah that's a good idea, it shouldn't be that hard to do. might end up costing quite a bit, though, if you can't find the right parts for cheap.

Nahbar now stocks a brake light that is connected to the rear brake cable.

I think a horn activated at the same time as the brake lights would be useful when there are lots of pedestrians around

Nahbar now stocks a brake light that is connected to the rear brake cable.

Thanks for that. I had a look and it looks very good. I might buy one and see how it works, and possibly get another one and wire them up together so as if either brake is activated, they both light up.

Cheap method:

Mount a 'Push to break' switch on the lever, this way the circuit is switched on when the lever is pulled. Careful positioning would make this a very effective setup. Hook this up to any old rear light you want. Presto. Total price (excl. light) about €1/$1
It might take a bit of cleverness to make this setup inconspicious but I have faith!

i came across a device that attached to the cable of a v-brake where the rubber bit goes, and when the brake was pulled, it compressed a spring which joined two smal metal plates, which completed the circuit from the light and battery. Dunno how to find another one tho...

Promax LED bicycle brakelights - https://shop.sunrisecyclery.com/item/10319/

Has anyone tried them?

There is some of those red blinkies out already that are actually kind of cool, they replace your bar end plug, so the lights are called, bar end lights, they retail for apx $19 but I think nashbar had them on sale for apx $15
I have a pair and believe me they are almost as bright as those little laser pointers.. :D
cheers and ride safe

I think a horn activated at the same time as the brake lights would be useful when there are lots of pedestrians around

They already have braking activated horns. Just install a pair of disc-brakes. :)

You can make the project simple - the various Wally Marts have bicycle indicator lights from time to time for about $10.00 per set.

They blink left, right, and stop. I think the signals are button activated.

I saw some at Fleet and Farm about a year ago.